Spring 2024
Commencement
Saturday, May 18, 2024
10:00 a.m.
American Bank Center Arena
A Member of The Texas A&M University System
Spring 2024 Commencement President Kelly M. Miller, presiding
Prelude and Processional*
Carrier of the Mace
Dr. Hussain Abdulla
Associate Professor of Chemistry, College of Science
Welcome .............................................................................................................. President Kelly M. Miller
Presentation of the Colors TAMU-CC Army Islander Battalion
National Anthem ................................................................................................................... Jessica Valdez Senior, Music Major, School of Arts, Media, & Communication
Greetings .......................................................................................................................
Mr. Laylan Copelin Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications, The Texas A&M University System
Commencement Address
Presentation of Degree Candidates
Mr. Garrett Frazier ‘04 Director, Frazier Companies
Dr. Ahmed Mahdy Executive Vice President for Research & Innovation
College of Education & Human Development ............................................ Interim Dean Don Melrose College of Liberal Arts............................................................................. Interim Dean Cate Rudowsky
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Dean Hassan Aziz College of Science Dean F. Eloy Hernández College of Graduate Studies ................................................................................. Dean Karen McCaleb
Conferring of Degrees President Kelly M. Miller
Announcing ................................................................................................ Dr. Carmen Tejeda-Delgado Professor and Director of Transformative Alliance for Student Success College of Education & Human Development
Hooding of Doctoral Candidates ............................................................... Candidate’s Major Professor
College of Education & Human Development | Assisting: Interim Dean Don Melrose College of Science | Assisting: Dean F. Eloy Hernández
Commissioning ..................................................................................
Lieutenant Colonel Steven E. Pierce Professor of Military Science
Alumni Presentation
Recessional*
*Audience will remain seated.
Dr. Haysam Dawod ’85 President, TAMU-CC National Alumni Association
Scan to link to digital program
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Dr. Claudia Amy Ayala
Dissertation: Understanding Hope as Experienced by First-Generation College Students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Dr. Staci Spitzer Cade
Dissertation: Collaboration Among General Education and Special Education Teachers: Providing an Appropriate Education for All Students
Dr. Patricia Benavides Dominguez
Dissertation: Retention and Strategic Enrollment Management at a Community College in Texas
Dr. Monica Luna Carrizales
Dissertation: Pláticas con las Meras Meras: Voices of Emerging and Established Latina Leaders’ Journeys to the Superintendency
Dr. Kimberly Rose Krockover Gellerman
Dissertation: Deaf LeadHERship
Dr. Vedika Satish Salunke
Dissertation: Are We Stemming the Non-Stem? - A Three-Article Dissertation on Non-Stem International Graduate Students
Dr. Adela Ernestina Villarreal de Perez
Dissertation: A Case Study of Hispanic South Texas Congregational Leaders’ Perspectives Towards Hispanics in Theological Higher Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education
Dr. Jordan Jalen Evans
Dissertation: Paws & Breathe: A Dialectical Behavior Therapy Informed Emotion Regulation Skills Group Utilizing Animal Assisted Counseling
Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction
Dr. John Thomas Hornsby
Dissertation: Examining the Changes in Success Rates of Texas Basic Peace Officer Trainees on the State Licensing Examination
Dr. Amy Geralyn McClure
Dissertation: Proctoring Modalities and the Influence on HESI Exit Exam® Scores: A Comparison of Two Nursing Cohorts
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology
Dr. Alyssa Ashley Outhwaite
Dissertation: The Influence of Habitat Setting on Community Structure, Organic Matter, and Consumer Diets of Subtidal Oyster Reefs in Matagorda Bay, Texas
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Master of Science
Hunter M. Alonzo
Laura L. Barrera
Kimberly A. Cantu
John Jason Carreon
Clarissa Marie Casares
Megan Mary Clark
Alexis Leann Cortez
Dominique Hope Cuellar
Clynton Bryan Elwood
Aliah E. Geyer
Sierah Ravae Guajardo
Hannah Madeline Heasley
Brook Brianna Bennett
Madison Clausen
Nellie Anne Fountain
Erica B. Garcia
Ashriiah Acii
Jesusa Marie Benavides
Chelsea Rhiannon Bueno
Antonio Esteban Cantu
Anthony Michael Caruso
Valeria Cedillo
Nicole Desiree Colunga
Hannah Elaine De La Cerda
Cristal Marie DeLeon
Ashley Christine Dominguez
Devon Alyse Dylla
Maira Afzal
Meghan Hanna Bygate
Neina Marie Chapa
Natasha Alexandra Dalton
Leah Janice Fuentes
Shimira C. Henry
Brittany R. Holden
Erin Kennedy
Jared Ryan LaPoint
Yun Lee
Erin Nichole Lester
Reina Alexis Moreno
Stephanie Antoinette Morin
Yvelia Galabeas Munoz
Savannah Reshell Payne
Hy Gia Pham
Emily Margaret Ramirez
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Master of Arts
Raven Kye Gipson-Washington
Samantha Hanna Kordahi
Elizabeth Garcia Lawing
Dang Thuy Anh Pham
Bayle Frances Russell
Anne Katherine Sancher
Marisela Ester Serna-Maroney
Leah R. Solis
Nathaniel Jay Sosa
Matthew Ryan Spinnato
Daniel Francis Stokes II
Laura Ann Veach
Brandon D’Sean Washington
Melissa Evan Zamora
Selina Renee Ramos
Asia Destiny White
COLLEGE OF NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES
Master of Science in Nursing
Katie Elizabeth Ehlers
Jasmine Danielle Estelle
Nina Nikkole Garcia
Clarissa Gonzalez
Danielle Monique Harding-Allen
Norma Liza Hollister
Susan Rachelle Hornbeck
Christina M. Johnson
Eric R. Nelson
Leyda Marlina Nunez
Rebecca Danielle Olivarez
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Master of Science
Christina Celeste Gonzalez
Bryanna Noelle Herrera
Wayne Alan Hodge
Sean Thomas Majors
Rebecca Lee Ann Nava
Alyssa Nichole Orozco
Ilene Nicole Pardo
Brittany Lauren Perez
Sophie Gabriella Purdy
Alexis Koren Sekula
Clint Sherrouse
Nancy LaurenTamayo Ashley Thomas
Limi Thomas
Sierra Nicholle Thomas
Morgan Leigh Yendrey
Landrue Caleb Richards
Hailey Jade Santa Ana
Kaiya Ann Shealy
Roslyn Camille Swonke
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Cailey Mackenzie Aschmutat*
Chelsea Mamerto Balberan*
Nadia Bianca Betancourt
Caitlyn Renee Breiten*
Madelyn Mary Burton*
John Francis Campbell Jr.
Paloma Noelle Chapa
Katherine Faith Adelle Colburn*
Honors Program Graduate
Cady Dawn Cooley‡
Montana Ray Cullum•
Ashley Renee DeLeon*
Guadalupe Natalia Duarte
William Alan Dunn‡
Sarah Briann Eich Sr.
Gavin L. Flores
Velia Elise Fuentes*
Madison A. Garcia*
Leticia Villarreal Garza
Mya Kayla Saldana Gaspar‡
Madisyn Elyssa Gatton•
Flora Nicolette Gomez
Bachelor of Science
Alexa Gonzalez•
Cooper J. Guetzke*
Ashley A. Hernandez•
Julie Erica Hime
Trey Kevin Ho*
Jaiyah M. Hodge
Brooke Anne Hooper
Katherine Militza Jaquiss
Breawny M. Kells•
Jamie Nickole Loosemore‡
Carys Plummer Luetge
Victoria Jeanette Lugo
Kailee M. Marques*
Anisa Marie Martinez‡
MaCaitlyn Love Martinez•
Samantha Martinez
Katherine Alexandra Mendoza*
Michelle Millikan‡
Monee Yesenia Montilla‡
John Christopher Moreno
Tyler James Morrissey
Amber Rae Perrigue
Amanda Marie Ramirez‡ Bianca Rios Ramirez*
Baycee D. Reed*
Morgan Marie Richter
Joy Divine Rocha
Luke Simon Rojas
Emma Marie Salazar
Kimberly Santos• Khaela Leanah Sifuentes
Jade Adriana Snowden
Briana Faith Soria
Grace Morgan Stewart‡
Hailey Jolie Stone
Amber Rayne Trigo
Bailey Anne Trzupek
Lacey S. Underwood
Margarita Valladolid‡
Frances Lysette Villanueva
Shalyn D. Watt*
Mercedes Renee Welch*
Capri Danae Wilson
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
Roberto Emmanuel Eames Jesus Manuel Vez
Linell G. Abrego
Angelica Aguilar
Leah Rebecca Aguilar
Primrose Fataimoemanu Aholelei
Allison Maegan Alford‡
Krysten Cherie Andrade
Victoria Anne Arrington
Sarah Marie Bellanger*
Brandon L. Benavidez•
Joshua Matthew Bocanegra
Alexis S. Bridgford•
Jullian Alexandra Brown
Makayla Grace Bryson*
Nicole Bucciarelli*
Holland Liberty Paije Burkett•
Emily Danessa Caceres
Jasmin Nevaeh Canizales
Qadira K. Carter•
Andres Manuel Castillo
Margaret Francis Cone
Ava Winthrop Constant
Haylee E. Costin
Kaziah Danielle Fontaine Crawford
Gladys De La Fuente
Nicole Adrienne Domingo‡
Clarissa Ann Dominguez
Reese Alexi Drezins‡
Kathleen Elizabeth Edmiston
Alexandria Dee Ellis
Alyssa Nicole Encinia•
Jose Israel Enriquez
Bernice Escamilla
Ian Alexander Espinosa‡
Maile Sandra Estrada
Na’Lajah Tarkel Evans‡
Rey Zambrano Fabela IV‡
Brendan Matthew Ferrell*
Dalton J. Flores•
Molly Josephine Gaeta
Regina Gallegos*
Daniel J. Bright
Crystal Marie Cantu•
Tala Alkhush
Emma Aucagne‡
Kennedy Kalei Blakemore
Ashlynn Burr•
Sergio Enrique Cantu
Carlee Elizabeth Choate
Madison Marie Churbe
Reese Elizabeth Cross
Brandon Thomas Dominguez
Marina Leann Draeger
Bryan Cody Evers
Lauren Taylor Garza•
Xavier A. Garza•
Niyeli Guerrero
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Hoffman
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Bachelor of Arts
Brisa D. Garcia•
Gabrielle Elise Garcia*
Juan Miguel Garcia Jr.•
Samuel Nicholas Garcia
Haley L. Garza
Stephen Mayowa Giwa
Naomi Victoria Gomez
Elisa Evans Gonzales*
Joslin Celeste Granados
Nathan Samuel Grossman
Aliyah Marie Hernandez
Jessica Marie Herrera*
Agustin Jose Hinojosa
Felicia K. Horn
Robert S. Huffman
Sarah Nicole Hunt•
Ty Michael Hynes
Dawn Da-Young Jeong•
Desiree Trenee Johnson
Jeran Dean Jongema*
Jorge Gonzales Lariz III
Hannah Alexis Lay‡
Abcde N. Leos
Tristina A Lindsey‡
Leeannah Marie Litchenberg
Rosa Lynn Llanas-Izarraras
Alyssa M. Lucas‡
Maraya Araceli Lujan
Jace Birkelo Lyon
Destini Alexandra Martinez
Nabaweeyah Ayomide McGill
Macie S. Mehallic•
Allora Marie Montalvo
Emily Michelle Moon‡
Sean Austin Nicastro*
Joselin Perez- Torres‡
Honors Program Graduate
Dayne Griffy Prim•
Taylor Leigh Puckett
Maritssa Crystal Quintanilla
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
Jacob Ishmail Nino
Cayla Jeanette Perez
Bachelor of Science
Enock Kimutai
Alexander Isaiah Lopez
Kyle Ethon Lynn
Zane Nolan McFarlane
Naomi Moi Mckenzie‡
Ramon Mora‡
Ethan L. Munoz
Caleb Josiah Nelson
Giancarlo Nino Jr.
Jaydn Nunez
Genivie Esperanza Palacios
Harmony Lee Parnell
Emily M. Portales
Crystal Posada-Salazar
Amber Yvonne Pro
Clarissa Ceballos
Jazmeyne Tierra Nicole Evans
Reyna Cecilia Gallegos*
Quirino Manuel Guajardo
Sophia Isabel Gusme
Kirsten Faith Hammontree
Arianna Anasya Acosta
Daniel Aguinaga•
Gabriella Mitzel Barrera
Jaimee Celeste Barrera
Mackenzie B. Behrens
Isabella Marie Ramirez‡
Lauren K. Reese
Connor Benjamin Rice•
Cassie Marie Riddle
Angela Raquel Rodriguez
Sarah AriellaRodriguez Elizabeth Saenz•
Kaitlin Alyssa Saenz
Rene Saenz•
Benjamin Aidan Sandoval
Jason Jaime Santhanam
Gabrielle Paloma Serna
Alora Nicole Shafer‡
Alexandra Shishkina•
Joshua Alen Sifuentes
Caitlyn Jane Simpson
Rebekah Ann Snowden•
Brandon Lingad Soto•
Olivia Elizabeth Stanton Moretzsohn*
Zachary Douglas Lane Streety
Dante Maximilian Sutton•
Laura Lynn Swofford
Wade Ryan Thomas•
Angelina Ngozi Udeani
Trinity Alysse Uptergrove
Erica Lee Valadez*
Kavan Vanhal
Kimberly N. Vargas
Kayla Marie Vasquez
Ramiro Veliz IV
Brandie Elizabeth-Rose Webb
Natalie Ann Whipps
Kayla Ann Marie White*
Cynthia Evette Williams•
Malik Mustapha Williams•
Shaye Marie Willoughby
Emma Ann Yost
Taylor Ann Zavala
Richard Pilger‡
Ezra Arden Soto•
Victoria Celeste Ramos
Meredith S. Roberts
RyAnn Kimberly Rodriguez
Kimane Jelica Rogron
Mary Kathleen Ross
John D. Schneider
Brooklynn Elizabeth Sherman*
Nathan Tagle*
Abigail G. Towner*
Ricardo Emmanuel Vazquez Pagan
Enrique Ignacio Vilches
Amanda G. Villarreal•
Jordan Tyler Webb
Stacey Nicole Zuniga
COLLEGE OF NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES
Bachelor of Science
Dennis Kipngeno•
Leonardo Reonaldo Ledgister
McKenzie Pamela Louis
Emily Claire Madden•
Noni Adaeze Motton
McKenna Kaitlyn Reiswig‡
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Isabela Jisselle Beltran
Alyssa Renae Benavides*
Ysabel Valenzuela Buelva*
Cyann Jewel Cantu
Julian J. Chavez•
Victoria E. Rossetti
J. Jesus Sanchez
Matthew Sanchez
Jeslin Pynummoottile Santhosh
Kyla Nicole Wilson•
Gabriella Michelle Cisneros
Dana M. Cruz
Fredrick
Thomas Currie Jr.
Alyssa Corinne Delgado
Lily Grace Dreibrodt*
Briana Austin Foster
Katherine Elizabeth Fulton*
Gia Samantha Gaceta Luis
Adrianna Jordan Garcia•
Flor Olivia Garcia
Trina Marie Guzman
Joshua Andrew Harrington*
Jacquelynne Marie Hernandez
Jonneida Rebecca Hernandez•
Alizanette Ann Kearney
Paige Elizabeth Keenan
Norma Rogena Kuester*
Richard Lopez
Brittany Nicole Macias
Cecilia Elvinita Macias
Zachariah Joseph Major*
Vanessa Velez Martinez
COLLEGE OF NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, continued
Aislynn Dawn Mauch
Imaan Shakir Memon*
Arianna Raquel Mireles‡
Sarah May Nesbitt•
Agnes Atim Onyera•
Noela Marie Ortiz*
Kaitlyn Alexis Owens*
Derwen Denise Parada•
Erika Abigail Pena-Rodriguez
Griselda N. Perez*
Kristy Ann Perez
Aaron David Ramos‡
Chyna A. Sanchez
Allie Kay Siegeler
Nevaeh Faith Simon
Joshua Alan Spaniel*
Angelina Maria Tapia
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Bachelor of Science
Kirsten Danielle Aguilar
Aselyn Marie Aguirre
Minna Alcorn
Paige Odevia Allen
Isabel Taren Arispe
Jarred Anthony Barron*
Tiffanie Marie Befort
Katelynn Avery Blando
Maritza Keiari Brown
Alexis Nicole Burrell*
Kayleigh Caldwell
Yarline Carolina Campos
Zakary Dale Carden
Donovan Ray Castillo
Veronica Chavarria*
Rory Rylan Chavez
Ayleen Lorraine Chen‡
Honors Program Graduate
Leah Marie Cogar‡
Sadey Lynn Cox•
Gabbie D. Daniels
Holly Marie Davis
Hailey Allison Devos
Sophia Manolis Diakomina*
Emily Elizabeth Dillon*
Nichole Frances Dopp
Bryce Kyle Earls•
Kathleen Elizabeth Edmiston
Megan Diana Escochea•
Honors Program Graduate
Allison Grayson Everett
Irma Flores
Shae Ellen Fox*
Yuchen Fu
Daunte Craig Gaiter
Anahis Garcia
Breanna Jo Garcia
Clarissa Marie Garcia
Hannah Grace Garcia‡
Kaitlin Kelly Garcia
Zaire Tremayn Gardner-Jones
Marya Frieda Gelabert*
Ian Nicolaus Gerlach
Jennifer Adrian Gibson
Gabriella Santos Gonzales*
Joshua Richard Guillen
Houston D. Hall
Bailey Anne Hanners
Georgia Elizabeth Harris
Jonah James Harris*
Honors Program Graduate
Elysia Maite Herrera
Emma Doris Ally Herrera
Jessica Marie Herrera*
Jonathan Micheal Hoang*
Laney T. Hobbs•
Nicholas Andrew Isaacks
Abigail Kaye Jechow•
Kara Nicole Jefferies
Blake Alexis John
Annalisa Kirby
Sara Teresa Landa‡
Keenan Francis Larriviere‡
Jaclyn Aileen Leal
Alexis Gabriel Linton
Jacob Ryan Lozano
Chasity Maxine Luckett
Christina M. Maher
Amelia Suzette Mangum
Allison Ashley Martin
Jade Presley Martinez
Juan Carlos Martinez Robles
Marysa D. McAllister‡
Carl A. Meade
Evy Danhai Mendez
Robert Anthony Montalvo II
Victoria Elizabeth Morgado
Ian Paul Morgan
Claire Josephine Mueller‡
Julia C. Nicholson
Officer Commissioning
Second Lieutenant United States Army
Maritsa Crystal Quintanilla
Ojuare Daisy Tawo‡
Leslie Ann Trew*
Olivia Nnenna Uche•
Shelby Joy Elizabeth Valadez•
Demitri Hunter Valdez
Odette Atali Vallejo*
Ysve Valverde Martinez
Marithza Vega
Audrey Villarreal
Marco Antonio Villarreal
Natalie Nichol Villarreal
Noah Raymond Wall‡
Maya Fire Williams
Gracie Maelyn Wischnewsky
Anya Isabelle Valero Ocampos‡
Honors Program Graduate
Kelsey Linnae Olson
Gavin R. Osgood‡
Holly Lynn Parson
Darian M. Paul*
Honors Program Graduate
Delaynie Barbara Peters‡
Elias Vasilios Piperis*
Alexander Joshua Ray•
Mckenna Renee Reinsch*
Alexis Christella Rios•
Jeremy Leon Jenaro Romo Jr.
Jerricca Dale Ann Rossilli•
Jaelyn Nohealani Rotman
Leilani Ruiz
Emma Rose Sinkleris
Briana Jose Solares
Austen Matthew Soliz
Haven Danielle Stevenson*
Makenna Rayne Sunseri*
Alexis Rose Symons*
Taylor Nicole Thorpe
Kalie M. Tovar‡
Moriah Roxanne Tyroch
Fernanda Itzanami Valdez•
Kate Esperanza Vasquez
Avery Marie Vormohr*
Gabrielle Nicole Walker
Jeremiah B. Watson
Brianna M. Wechsler
Emily Joann Williams
Austin Robert Willson*
Honors Program Graduate
Jesus Wong
Shaelee Madison Wood
Ericka Nicole Ybarra
Camille L. Yeltatzie
Aleesha Zissa*
The names on this program include all students who have applied for graduation. Conferral of the official degree is based upon completion and certification of all degree requirements.
Commencement Speaker
Entrepreneur, creator, and adventurer, Garrett Frazier’s ‘04 ability to build brands, communicate powerfully, and strategically outmaneuver competitors was forged during his time as Director of Sales and Marketing at Magnum Oil Tools International.
Using his natural talent in sales and marketing, his ability to lead and inspire teams, and his bold, disruptive approach to business strategy, he oversaw the largest growth phase in company history, significantly growing Magnum’s customer base and profit margins, breaking revenue records year after year, and helping Magnum grow into a company worth half a billion dollars.
Today, he continues to be driven by his thirst for adventure, spirit of innovation, and determination to make a meaningful impact. A passionate outdoorsman- and the Frazier family expert on hunting and offshore fishing- he can usually be found on a boat, a board, or behind the wheel, pursuing his passions and inspiring others to do the same.
Above all, at the core of his being is his desire to defend, support, and enrich the lives of those closest to him- his lifelong friends, his childhood crush and wife, Trish, and the two children they share, Dylan and Olivia.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents
Mr. William Mahomes, Chairman ............................................................................... Dallas
Mr. Robert L. Albritton, Vice Chairman Fort Worth
Mr. David C. Baggett ............................................................................................... Houston
Mr. John W. Bellinger San Antonio
Mr. James Randy Brooks .................................................................................... San Angelo
Mr. Jay Graham ........................................................................................................ Houston
Mr. Michael A. Hernandez III Forth Worth
Mr. Michael J. Plank ................................................................................................ Houston
Mr. Sam Torn Houston
Ms. Elizabeth Annie Valicek .................................................................................... Houston
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Official Ring
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Islander Alumni Association unveiled the official ring in 1999. The ring itself is a symbol of achievement, unity, and University spirit. Upperclassmen wear the ring with the school’s name facing their heart. Upon the granting of degrees at commencement, graduates turn the ring around, with the name facing outward. This symbolizes that the graduate is now ready to face new challenges outside the University.
The official ring is a visible, tangible manifestation of the long-lasting bond between Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi and its alumni, offering symbolic representation of one’s past, present, and future as an Islander. As always, it is alumni who carry the same pride in their University, and a seamless gold band holds together the many people who have shared a dream—to earn a college education.
University Mace
The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Mace is the wooden staff that is carried by a mace bearer leading the academic processional for commencements, convocations, and special university ceremonies. Originally, the mace was a long-handled club used by knights during the Middle Ages to crush the armor of enemies. Later, ceremonial maces were carried by guards of French and English monarchs. Later still, the mace was carried or placed by a magistrate or dignitary to establish authority. In sessions of the British House of Commons, the mace is placed on the treasury table. In the U.S. House of Representatives, it is placed to the right of the speaker. Today, the University Mace is used to symbolize the authority of the University President and is a grand emblem of tradition at commencement ceremonies for colleges and universities.
Academic Regalia
Academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) date to 12th-century Europe, where they were worn primarily for warmth by university students as well as laymen. As laymen gradually changed their garb to capes and breeches, institutions of learning prescribed the gown of black for scholars, with a hood draped down the back when not worn over the head and a mortarboard cap shaped like the mortarboard of the master workman.
In 1985 in the United States, the Intercollegiate Commission prepared a code, specifying the design and color of academic regalia for colleges and universities in the United States. Under this code, the bachelor’s gown has long pointed sleeves. The master’s gown has an oblong sleeve. The doctor’s gown has bell-shaped sleeves. Gowns are generally black; however, a number of schools have adopted special regalia for the doctor’s gown.
The velvet border of the hood may represent either the color of the degree or the color of the field of study. The current trend is for the color to represent the field of study rather than the name of the degree, but in earlier years dark blue was characteristic for a Ph.D. in any field. Hoods are lined with the official colors of the college or university from which the degree is received.
Caps are the traditional mortarboard except for the doctor’s degree, where a four-sided velvet tam is optional. Caps from schools with special color gowns or from foreign universities may be more distinctive. Cap tassels for the doctor’s degree are gold, while the tassels for the master’s and bachelor’s degree are typically black. Holders of all these degrees wear the tassel on the left. The ritual of bachelor’s degree candidates shifting the tassel from right to left marks the conferring of one’s first university degree.
Hood Color Code
Arts, Letters, Humanities ..................................... White
Commerce, Accountancy, Business Drab
Dental ..................................................................... Lilac
Economics Copper
Education Light Blue
Engineering ........................................................ Orange
Fine Arts, Architecture Brown
Library Science ...................................................Lemon
Medicine Green
Music.......................................................................Pink
Nursing Apricot
Philosophy..................................................... Dark Blue
Physical Education Sage Green
Public Administration Peacock Blue
Public Health ............................................. Salmon Pink
Science Golden Yellow
Social Work .......................................................... Citron
Speech Silver Gray
Academic Honors
Students earning academic honors wear cords in recognition of academic excellence. The following honors are awarded at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi:
‡ Summa Cum Laude: the silver honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.9 and above.
* Magna Cum Laude: the blue honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.7 to 3.899.
• Cum Laude: the green honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.5 to 3.699.
*The honors presented during the ceremony are calculated on the student’s institutional cumulative grade point average and institutional credit hours through the semester prior to filing for graduation. Official honors designation, which includes the calculation of the final semester’s grades and hours, will be indicated on the final transcript and diploma.
Honor Society Medallions and Cords
Students at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi have the privilege of being asked to join honor societies. Membership is based on grade point average and special criteria for each organization such as major, community service, and service to a profession. Students belonging to these honor societies wear cords and medallions that represent their high achievements and the colors and symbols of the organization.
Music Provided by Symphonic Winds
Directed by Dr. José Flores, Professor of Music
Special thanks to the faculty, staff, Student Government Association, and Island Ambassadors who participated in today’s events.